ES2857650T3 - Shoe, particularly a sports shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

Shoe (1), in particular sports shoes, with a sole (2) and an upper part of the shoe (3) connected to the sole (2), wherein the sole (2) is composed, at least in sections, of a expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO), where the section (4) of the sole (2) composed of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO) is formed by a plurality of spherical or ellipsoidal plastic bodies (5) that are joined to each other by providing materials, and where the dimensions of the individual plastic bodies (5) in the three spatial directions are between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm, where the section (4) consisting of polyolefin Expanded thermoplastic forms an insert part of the sole (2), where other sections (7) of the sole (2) consist of a material that is not expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, where the additional section (7) of the sole ( 2), which is not an expanded thermoplastic polyolefin is composed, at least by section is, by an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), by expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU), by thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), by polyamide (PA), by foamed polyurethane and / or by rubber material.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Shoe, particularly a sports shoe

The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, having a sole and a shoe upper part connected to the sole.

A shoe of the generic type is known, for example, from DE 102011 108744 B4. Herein an advantageously configured sports shoe is described, in which expanded (foamed) thermoplastic polyurethane is used as the material for the sole of the shoe. It is also described in WO 2007/082838 A1 that expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) can be advantageously used for a shoe sole. This document also provides detailed information on this plastic material; in this regard, reference is made to this document. DE 203 20 091 U1 shows another generic shoe; GB 2 016 259 A1 shows a similar solution.

The urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, in particular in expanded form, is also described, for example, in WO 2010/010010 A1, to which reference is made in this regard. EP 2 452 969 A1 discloses a process for producing expandable thermoplastic particles by post-impregnation. EP 2565225 A1 describes coated expandable polymer particles.

It has been found that, although very good properties can already be achieved, in particular of a sports shoe, with such material, it is still necessary to optimize it further. This refers in particular to the weight of the sole material, which should be as low as possible but with good elasticity and cushioning properties.

The invention is therefore based on the task of further developing a shoe of the aforementioned type, in such a way that the weight of the shoe and the elasticity and cushioning properties of the shoe sole can be influenced in an improved manner. . In addition to this, the manufacture of the shoe must be simple.

The solution to this task through the invention is characterized in that the sole consists, at least in sections, of an expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO), where the section of the sole consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO) consists of a plurality of (initially, that is to say in the initial state) spherical or ellipsoidal plastic bodies, which are joined together by material supply, and wherein the dimensions of the individual plastic bodies in the three spatial directions are between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm, where the section consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin forms an insertion part of the sole, where other sections of the sole consist of a material that is not expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, in where the other section of the sole that is not made of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin is formed, at least in sections, by an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), by polyurethane expanded thermoplastic (E-TPU), by thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), by polyamide (PA), by foamed polyurethane and / or by rubber material.

For the processing of such plastic bodies, reference is made to the aforementioned DE 102011 108744 B4. Said shape of the plastic bodies here refers to the initial product, that is to say, before the plastic bodies are joined together (welded or glued under pressure); During the joining process, a deformation of the individual bodies occurs, so that the spherical or ellipsoidal shape is no longer fully preserved.

The material joining of the plastic bodies may have been effected by a welding process. In particular, the welding process may have been carried out here by introducing water vapor into a tool mold under a pressure of between 0.1 and 0.4 MPa (1.0 and 4.0 bar), preferably between 0, 1 and 0.2 MPa (1.0 and 2.0 bar). This allows a precise geometric configuration of the sole and a possibility of simple manufacture. The material joining of the plastic bodies can also have been carried out by means of a gluing process with the addition of an adhesive.

The plastic bodies preferably have a weight of between 5 mg and 10 mg.

The expanded thermoplastic polyolefin section of the sole preferably has a density of between 100 and 250 g / l (grams per liter).

However, it is preferred that the plastic bodies comprising expanded thermoplastic polyolefin have a density of between 70 and 140 g / l before being bonded together.

The section comprising the expanded thermoplastic polyolefin can form a midsole of the shoe. An outsole can then be arranged under the midsole.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the section comprising the thermoplastic polyolefin Expanded may not extend here for the entire height of the sole or midsole.

The section comprising the expanded thermoplastic polyolefin is advantageously arranged in the area of the heel of the sole.

The proposed material, that is, E-TPO, is an expanded thermoplastic elastomer based on olefin, where polypropylene (PP) or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) is predominantly used here. Thermoplastic polyolefin is therefore a mixture of a polyolefin-based plastic (usually PP) and an elastomer such as EPDM.

TPOs are mixtures of polymers, which can be produced hard or soft depending on their composition. Hard TPOs, where PP and talc can make up about 75% of the composition, are often used as impact-reinforced plastics. Soft TPOs, however, have a much higher elastomer content, in some cases up to 70%. The advantage over other thermoplastic elastomers is that TPO is significantly cheaper on average.

Advantageous properties used in the selection of the proposed material include a wide temperature range, in which the material can be used (-55 ° C to 115 ° C), and a hardness range from 55 Shore A to 70 Shore D. The proposed material is highly resistant to aging.

In summary, it can be said with this that the invention provides at least one section of the sole which is formed by E-TPO, that is to say, by expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (that is to say, by an olefin on an elastomer base). Regarding the properties of the material, this material is approximately between EVA and E-TPU and, for this reason, it is advantageously used in the sense of the previous task.

The material proposed to be used is up to 30% lighter than E-TPU, which translates into the corresponding advantages. However, the elastic recovery property is comparable to that of E-TPU.

When the proposed material is processed, and in particular when the individual plastic bodies are joined by steam at the aforementioned preferred pressure of between 0.1 and 0.4 MPa (1.0 and 4.0 bar) (in particular between 0.1 and 0.2 MPa, (1.0 and 2.0 bar), presents an advantageous and lower pressure than that required to process E-TPU for the same purpose. In this way, the manufacturing process is more efficient than when E-TPU is processed Also, a lower degree of yellowing is advantageous compared to the E-TPU used up to now.

The preferred use of very small and light plastic bodies (in the preferred weight range of 5mg to 10mg) means that smaller bodies are available than is usually the case when using E-TPU. The result is better reproduction of the tool mold on the sole and higher productivity.

Lastly, it should also be mentioned a higher resistance to hydrolysis compared to E-TPU.

The sole can be attached to the upper part of the shoe (instep) by stitching or gluing, which is known as such.

The drawing illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention. here they show:

Fig. 1 a side view of a sports shoe,

Fig. 2 the section A-B according to Fig. 1 through the sports shoe and

Fig. 3, schematically, the detail "X" according to figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a shoe 1 having a sole 2 and an upper part 3. The shoe 1 has a midsole arranged between the upper part of the shoe 3 and an outer sole 6, which forms the contact surface of the shoe with the ground. A central aspect of the proposed shoe conformation is that the sole 2 comprises, at least in sections, an expanded thermoplastic polyolefin ^{(E-T pO).} For this, in figure 1 a section 4 of the sole 2 can be seen, which here is formed as an insert that is part of the midsole. This section 4 is made up of E-TPO.

The rest of the sole 2, and specifically the midsole between the upper part of the shoe 2 and the outer sole 6, comprises a section 7 that is not composed of E-TPO.

This can advantageously influence the elasticity or cushioning characteristics of the shoe.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment, the E-TPO section 4 does not extend over the entire height H of the sole 2, but only over a part of it.

From the schematic enlargement "X" according to figure 2, as shown in figure 3, it can be seen that the E-TPO section 4 is formed by a plurality of plastic bodies 5 that are joined together by means of the supply of materials. In this case, the individual plastic bodies 5, as advantageously specified in terms of size and weight or density, are placed in a tool mold and joined together using steam at a pressure of between 0.1 and 0, 2 MPa (1.0 and 2.0 bar) bar, at which the individual plastic bodies 5 melt on their surface and join other plastic bodies 5.

The result is a compact material, which can be used to form the section or insert 4 described.

In this way, the result is a sole that is cheap to manufacture and that has better elasticity and cushioning properties compared to previously known solutions, and in particular with respect to those in which E-TPU is used.

In the exemplary embodiment, a section 4 is located in the heel area of the sole 2, which is particularly advantageous. However, it can also be envisaged that another section 4 in the manner explained is used in other areas of the sole, for example in the forefoot area.

Of course, it can also be envisaged that the entire midsole arranged between the upper part of the shoe 3 and the outer sole 6 is made up of E-TPO, which is not shown in the exemplary embodiment.

In this way, not only can the elasticity and cushioning behavior of the sole and, therefore, of the shoe, be very advantageously influenced; at the same time, the manufacturing process can also be carried out simply and inexpensively.

Reference symbols list:

1 Shoe

2 Sole

3 Upper part of the shoe

4 Section of the E-TPO compound sole

5 Plastic body

6 Outsole

7 Sections of the sole made of non-E-TPO

H Height of sole

Claims (11)

1. - Shoe (1), in particular sports shoes, with a sole (2) and an upper part of the shoe (3) connected to the sole (2), where the sole (2) is composed, at least in sections, of an expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO), where the section (4) of the sole (2) composed of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin (E-TPO) is formed by a plurality of spherical or ellipsoidal plastic bodies (5) that are joined together by means of the supply of materials, and wherein the dimensions of the individual plastic bodies (5) in the three spatial directions are between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm, where the section (4) consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin forms an insert part of the sole (2), where other sections (7) of the sole (2) consist of a material that does not is expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, where the additional section (7) of the sole (2), which is not an expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, is composed, at least in sections, of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), of polyurethane expanded thermoplastic (E-TPU), by polyurethane te rmoplastic (TPU), by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), by polyamide (PA), by foamed polyurethane and / or by rubber material. 2. - Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the union by providing materials of the plastic bodies (5) is carried out by means of a welding process . 3. - Shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that the welding process is carried out by introducing steam into a tool mold under a pressure of between 1.0 and 4.0 bars, preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 bars . 4. - Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the union by providing materials of the plastic bodies (5) is carried out by means of a gluing process with the addition of an adhesive. 5. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plastic bodies (5) have a weight of between 5 mg and 10 mg. 6. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the portion (4) of the sole (2), composed of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin, has a density of between 100 and 250 g / l. 7. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plastic bodies (5) consisting of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin have a density of between 70 and 140 g / l before being joined together. 8. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the section (4) composed of expanded thermoplastic polyolefin forms a midsole of the shoe (1). 9. - Shoe according to claim 8, characterized in that an outer sole (6) is arranged under the midsole. 10. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the section (4) formed by expanded thermoplastic polyolefin does not extend over the entire height (H) of the sole (2) or midsole. 11. - Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the section (4) formed by expanded thermoplastic polyolefin is arranged in the area of the heel of the sole (2).